Arkansas State Boards are given twice a year, in February and in the summer (June or July). Check our upcoming events page for specific dates.State Board Fact Sheet

The deadline for applying to take the Board Examination is May 1, 2017.

The Board Examination will be given on June 15, 2017 and will take place at 1401 W. Capitol, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201.

All applicants must pass the TMOD before a license can be received.

After receiving the O.D. Degree and making application to take the Board Examination, the optometrist may apply to the Arkansas State Board of Optometry to begin the required internship program. The internship shall consist of at least 100 hours of supervised clinical training under the supervision of a board-certified ophthalmologist. A logbook in which to record the hours must be obtained from the Board of Optometry.

Study the booklets on the Optometry Law and The Rules and Regulations to prepare for the test.

To apply for state board exams, call 501-268-4351 to request that an application be sent to you. Once you receive it, complete the application and mail with a check for $410 to: ARKANSAS STATE BOARD OF OPTOMETRY

Dr. Howard F. Flippin, Executive Director

P. O. Box 512

Searcy, AR 72145

New Graduates

Don't forget to transition your student membership! ArOA will request contact information from all of the New Licentiates in July. We will turn in all of your information to the American Optometric Association (AOA) so that your membership won't be interrupted. If you have a change in contact information, please contact us at 501-661-7675 or e-mail vicki@arkansasoptometric.org

Q: How do I transition my AOSA student membership to AOA & ArOA professional status?
A: First, get licensed. Next, join the AOA state or federal services affiliate in which your principle practice or place of employment is located. You can join the Arkansas Optometric Association by contacting us here or calling ArOA at 501-661-7675. Your AOA membership is included automatically. You can find information about AOA state or federal services affiliates at www.aoa.org or www.aoa.org/join.

Q: What’s required if I’m in a residency program?
A: Complimentary post-graduate membership continues until the end of the calendar year in which you complete your residency. Application for post-graduate membership must be made directly to the AOA state or federal services affiliate you select or the AOSA. The ArOA will be contacted by AOA/AOSA so that your membership can remain intact. A copy of your application will be forwarded to the AOA. To qualify, your status must be one of the following:

Non-practicing optometrist/full-time student in an accredited institution of higher education.

Optometrist engaged full-time as a resident or a fellow in a residency program approved by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education or by a school or college of optometry which is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education.

Optometrist engaged full-time as an intern in an internship program required by state law.

Q: Does the ArOA & AOA still have ascending dues for young practitioners?
A: Yes. Newly licensed optometrists automatically receive a reduced, ascending schedule of dues for the year in which they are originally licensed and for four years following that.

Year of licensure – Free
First calendar year following licensure – 90% discount - pay only 10% of full dues
Second calendar year following licensure – 80% discount - pay only 20% of full dues
Third calendar year following licensure – 50% discount - pay only 50% of full dues
Fourth calendar year following licensure –25% discount - pay only 75% of full dues
Fifth calendar year following licensure and thereafter – 100% of full dues

Your Eye Questions

Caring for your vision does not just include eyeglasses and contact lenses.